Lead Data Scientist in UNITED KINGDOM

Want to use your Data Science expertise to really make a difference? Are you interested in leading on research projects? Keen to share your knowledge with others?

Why not join our cyber security mission to lead on cutting edge research and development to protect national security in the UK and overseas?

As an experienced Data Scientist at HMGCC, you’ll mentor and direct the research of others, and lead on proposing and managing a portfolio of Data Science work, as well as supporting the development of the wider Data Science community across national security.

You will design and lead Data Science projects to conduct research and capability development that will enhance how HMGCC Cyber Security teams conduct security assessments of complex systems, for example through novel approaches to identifying vulnerabilities in software and hardware. You will use your expertise to extract insights from noisy, structured and unstructured data, across different domains, including but not limited to; natural language processing, computer vision.

By maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of developments in the latest Data Science techniques, you will spot opportunities where you can add value to the Cyber Security mission. You will work with software and data engineers to ensure the most fruitful Data Science research can be developed into reusable tools and capabilities for the Cyber Security teams.

You will lead a portfolio of research and capability projects, and share knowledge with less experienced members of your team. You can expect to be working on an inspiring and rewarding set of problems, as you seek to meet the novel challenges posed by HMGCC’s pursuit of innovative engineering for national security. You’ll receive investment in your continued professional development through technical training, professional accreditation, mentoring, and on the job training. As you progress through your career, there are also opportunities for overseas travel for training, conferences, and collaboration.

We use the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (formerly the Digital Data and Technology profession capability framework) to provide guidance and tools to support your development, recognise and reward your specialist expertise.

More About You

To apply for this role, you will already have experience in and be able to show evidence in your application of:

• A strong understanding and applied knowledge of machine learning tools and techniques and one of the following domain areas: natural language processing, computer vision, graph theory, applied statistics, or a related specialism.
• Designing and leading Data Science research and capability development projects.
• Mentoring or developing others in Data Science knowledge and skills.
• Understanding the ethical considerations of Data Science approaches and the policy and legislation applicable.

To strengthen your application, it would be beneficial if you also have experience in and be able to show evidence in your application of:

• The application of Data Science to cyber security problems, in anything from vulnerability analysis support, to debugging software and/or network traffic analysis.
• Software engineering experience in machine learning.

Your Personal Skills

You will be the type of person who:

• Is technically curious.
• Enjoys problem solving.
• Has the ability to adapt to unplanned changes and overcome obstacles.
• Is comfortable and confident taking the lead.
• Enjoys seeing tasks through to completion.
• Is open minded.
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity.
• Has excellent problem-solving skills.
• Takes pride in being the ‘go to’ person, establishing your credibility equally with technical peers and non-technical end users.
• Enjoys continuously promoting personal development by expanding Data Science knowledge and sharing best practice across departments/industry.
• Feels confident with uncertainty, helping others to reduce and manage ambiguity around potential ways forward.

Putting your skills to use

Using your diverse range of skills within the team, you will:

• Lead a portfolio of Data Science research and capability development projects.
• Be comfortable and confident in mentoring junior Data Scientists; sharing knowledge and experience with the team.
• Identify efficient and effective ways to use Data Science to tackle business and organisational challenges, applying innovative techniques; with a focus on the Cyber Security mission.
• Enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams, to understand where Data Science can add value to support engineering processes and decision-making, in order to create impact.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining key partnerships in Data Science.
• Source, access, manipulate, and engineer data processes with data that typically have characteristics of volume, velocity and variety, and veracity.
• Build credible statistical models from the data and use best coding practices to generate reproducible work.
• Proactively use an evolving range of data analysis and Data Science tools and techniques, and have the ability to adapt to unplanned changes, overcome obstacles, and see tasks through to completion.
• Enjoy working with a range of experts, knowing when to draw on their expertise to help deliver project requirements.

What we Offer

Now that we’ve explained a bit about what you will we be doing, here’s what we can offer you:

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years’ service.
• 8 Bank Holiday days off in addition to your annual leave.
• 2 ½ additional days leave (set dates through the year).
• Paid overtime or time off in lieu. Your salary is for your contracted hours. If you work more, we believe you should be rewarded for that.
• Lots and lots of training. This can be anything from a ½ day internal course to a distant learning degree. If it’s relevant to your career, we will aim to support you.
• Our Pension scheme is Alpha. It’s competitive.
• Sports & Social Society. Whether its classic cars or baking, golf or crafting, we have a society for you.
• On site nursery (subject to availability).
• 3 days paid leave a year to support a registered charity of your choice.
• Free parking.
• Free onsite gym, open 24 hours a day.
• Relocation Package.
• Affinity Groups – whether you are disabled, LGBTQ and/or from an ethnic minority. We provide an inclusive environment and support for everyone.

About HMGCC

We are HMGCC, the engineering specialists at the heart of the UK’s national security.

We work with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.

We invest in our people, not only with training but also support throughout your career with us; to allow you to reach your full potential at work, as well as enjoy the work/life balance many aspire to.

To find out more about us and if we’re right for you, please visit our website.

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion and diversity really matters to us. It's not just about hitting targets or visible differences.

HMGCC are committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities or who are neurodiverse.

We’re not looking for any one type of person. We’re looking for talent from all different backgrounds to join our organisation, where we genuinely respect and value each other's differences, as well as our similarities. It makes us even better at what we do.

We are proud to offer candidates the opportunity to apply through the Offer Of Interview Scheme. The scheme ensures eligible candidates are selected for an interview as long as their application meets the minimum criteria for the role. To find out more and how you can apply under this scheme, please see the inclusion and diversity information on our website.